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It's Not Unusual: A Lesbian and Gay History

Name: It's Not Unusual: A Lesbian and Gay History
Director: Cheryl Farthing, Ian MacMillan
Released: 1997
Duration: 150 min

Representation Score

8.7/10

Excellent

1997

Director

Cheryl Farthing, Ian MacMillan

Runtime

150 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

This documentary serves as a significant archival project that challenges the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender. By centering the lived experiences of the LGBTQ+ community against the backdrop of UK social policy, the work functions as a critique of institutional power. The film's primary strength is its empowering approach, allowing underrepresented individuals to dictate their own historical arc. It moves beyond mere presence to provide a deep, historical context for queer existence. However, the film's scope is largely defined by the demographic realities of the eras it covers. This results in a lack of explicit focus on the intersection of racial and queer identities and specific disability representation.

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Category Breakdown

Does It's Not Unusual: A Lesbian and Gay History have LGBTQ+ representation?

Excellent

The film centers LGBTQ+ identities using archival footage and interviews with 22 lesbian and gay individuals. It provides a vital historical framework for queer existence in the UK.

How does It's Not Unusual: A Lesbian and Gay History portray gender?

Good

The documentary explores both lesbian and gay perspectives, offering a nuanced look at gendered experiences. It critiques the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender through the lens of social and legislative struggles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is It's Not Unusual: A Lesbian and Gay History?

Fair

The film likely reflects the demographic realities of the UK LGBTQ+ movement from the 1920s to the 1990s. Visibility regarding racialized queer identities appears limited.

How does It's Not Unusual: A Lesbian and Gay History represent religion and culture?

Excellent

By prioritizing excluded perspectives, the film disrupts conventional historical narratives. It examines how state institutions and social barriers have historically sidelined underrepresented communities.

Does It's Not Unusual: A Lesbian and Gay History include disability representation?

Fair

The inclusion of the AIDS crisis touches upon themes of chronic illness and health. However, it is unclear if these are framed through a lens of empowering individuals with disabilities.

Present on Screen

Empowers the LGBTQ+ community through direct interviews with 22 individuals.
Offers a comprehensive historical framework covering significant milestones like Clause 28 and the AIDS crisis.
Challenges mainstream historical narratives by centering underrepresented voices and lived experiences.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit visibility regarding the intersection of racial and queer identities.
Does not provide specific details regarding the representation of neurodivergence or physical disability.

Official Synopsis

Archival footage and interviews with 22 lesbians and gay men give an overview of gay history in the UK from the 1920's. Clause 28, the Well of Lonliness, AIDS, the Pet shop Boys, it's all there in some form or another.

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